Smith needed to aid Cummins in big year
THE decision to bypass Steve Smith for the 50-over captaincy is a dangerous move in a year when his behind-thescenes leadership will be more crucial than it has ever been.
The one certainty of the frantic year that awaits Australia is that Pat Cummins is going to be ready for a desert island and a cold drink at the end of it after leading Australia in Test tours of India and England plus the World Championship Test final before the 50 over World Cup in India.
He simply cannot carry this burden alone.
Cummins will need a vicecaptain – Smith – who is motivated, sharp-eyed and desperate to make a difference, all the while knowing the captain will get all the credit if things go well.
It doesn’t sound like a complex challenge but Australian cricket history insists it’s not that simple either.
Smith was overlooked for the captaincy of the 50-over team against England at the SCG when the selectors plumped for the admirable Josh Hazlewood who led the side to victory with Smith as his deputy.
Only Smith would know how he felt at being overlooked. His body language was sound, he went on to make 94 and again looked in wonderful touch.
An alternative line of thinking for the selectors might have been to give Smith the captaincy in a sign that his leadership contribution was still highly valued by the group entering this year where he will need to go above and beyond in helping Cummins.
The vice-captaincy is a very subtle and underestimated role, which challenges a person in a way no other position in the side does.
It takes a special sort of person with a special sort of drive to do it extremely well.
Many experienced players have found it a deceptively challenging role and it is crucial for Australia that Smith has a standout time as deputy.
A trait of successful Australian eras is normally a sturdy vice-captain. Smith and Cummins seemed to work well last season and they will need that bond to be stronger than ever over the most challenging year in Australian cricket history.